aikinotes@ces: February 2011

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Aikido The Way of Harmony Part 2

Here is a brilliant clip from a 1988 documentary on Aikido. It includes incredible footage of Doran Sensei as a very man. In the interview Doran Sensei states that he had been training for 21 years, which would mean that the footage was taken in 1980.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Bruce Bookman Sensei:

"The striking attacks in aikido such as shomeuchi, yokomenuchi and tsuki come from Japanese sword traditions. These types of attacks are classical in nature and when practiced with commitment and intent build strong conditioning, timing, responsiveness and most importantly enhance the kokyu-ryoku, the vital life force energy of both uke and nage. It is a good idea to train one's skills at these attacks, however, it's important to keep in mind that the classical aikido attacks have been adapted from swordsmanship and reflect an ancient paradigm of the samurai who fought on the battlefields of feudal Japan. How they trained and fought were influenced by bushido, the ancient Japanese code of chivalry. The type of attack that one may encounter today, in a dark alley is very different. This leaves the aikido practitioner the task of spontaneously adapting their classical training to the situation at hand. It is of course possible but it takes a very talented person to be able to connect the dots in the heat of the moment."

"Bruce Bookman's response to Stan Pranin's article"
http://www.aikidojournal.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=87464#87464

“Even Frankenstein can do Randori,” by Charles Warren
http://www.aikidojournal.com/blog/2010/12/01/even-frankenstein-can-do-randori-by-charles-warren/

Paul Rest with Eddie Frager Sensei

Eddie Frager – A Martial Artist Making a Difference

Paul Rest interviews Eddie Frager Sensei:

“Aikido is, at it's base a physical art, and as a young man the physical side was most important to me. The physical side of the artis still very important to me - when I teach we do 5 minutes of warm-ups and 55 minutes of Aikido, with very little talking. However, just as importantly, Aikido is also about how one moves through the world, how one deals with personal relationships and community."

http://www.examiner.com/martial-arts-in-san-francisco/eddie-frager-a-martial-artist-making-a-difference

Perceptions And Deceptions, by by Stanley Pranin

"The emphases of the various groups run the gamut from the physical and self-defense oriented all the way to the “spiritually” inclined styles for whom technique is of secondary importance. Despite these remarkable differences, I have often encountered a common characteristic in the mentality of the practitioners of these diverse persuasions. I will refer to it as the “true believer” syndrome."

"Perceptions And Deceptions," by by Stanley Pranin
Aiki News #89 (Fall 1991)
http://www.aikidojournal.com/article?articleID=605